Switch-control means



1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR 59% y 05752 Zing 50W TTORNEFL P. HUSTEDEl AL SWITCH CONTROL MEANS Filed May 24,

April 27 ,1926

April 27,1926, 158mm P. HU STED ET AL SWITCH CONTROL MEANS Filed May24', 1923 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR P (/67 Q Q 0% N B) FOJTHYKJOw ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 27. 1926.

rerun PAUL; HUS'IED, orcro HUSTED, AND ros'rnnx. SOLLIIDAY, or GRANDRAPIDS,

MICHIGAN.

SWITCH-CONTROL MEALTS.

Application filed May 24, 1924. Serial No. 715,751.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, PAUL HUs'rnI), OTTO llcsnzo, and FOSTER K. Sonmmr,citizens of the United States, residing at Grand Rapids, county of Kent,State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSwitch-Control Means, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in switch control means.

Many cities have ordinances or regulations requiring that the parltinglights of motor vehicles shall be turned on at a specified hour. Thiscauses great inconvenience to drivers as to leave the lights on when notnecessary exhausts the battery and particularly in city driving it is adillicult' matter to keep the battery properly charged. Our improvedswitch control means is especially designed by us for controlling thelights of a motor vehicle, although it iswell adapted for use in a greatvariety of relations, as lighting the lights-in a store, residence orthe like. i

The, main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a switch control means by means of which the switchmay be closed at any predetermined time.

Second, to provide an improved switch control means of the classdescribed which may be quickly adjusted to operate the switch at thedesired time.

Third, to provide a structure having these advantages which is verysimple and eco nomical in structure and at the same time compact anddurable.

Further objects, and objects relating to structural details, willdefinitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

ii e accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and meansdescribed in the following specification. The invention is clearlydefined and pointed out in the claims.

A. structure which is a preterred embodiment of our invention is clearlyillustrated in the accompanying drawin forming a part of thisapplication, in which:

Fig. I is a front View of a structure embodying the features of ourinvention,

Fig. H is an enlarged fragmentary view partially in section on a linecorresponding 7 to line 2-2 of Figs. I and III, the parts being shown inswitch closing position.

Fig. ,[H is a fragmentary view partially in section on a linecorresponding to line Fig. V is a sectional view on a line correspondingto line 5 -5 of Fig. TV.

Fig. VT is a detail perspective view partially in longitudinal section,showing structural details.

In the drawing similar reference'characters refer to similarvpartsthroughout the several views, andthe sectional views are taken lookingin the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawings, we Provide a housing which is adapted to beset into the instrument of a motor ;vehicle. This h0using, in theembodiment illustrated, comprises a face plate 1 and a cup-like casingmember 2 secured to the face plate by means of the threaded posts 3. e

i represents a battery, 5 a generator and 6 the lamps to be controlled.

The battery circuit 7 is connected to the binding post 8 projecting fromthe housin The lamp circuit 9 is connected to the post 10, alsoprojecting from the housing. The circuit 9 is provided with the usualswitch 11.

.Within, but insulated from, the housing is a tired contact plate 12,the same being secured in position and connected to the circuit by meansof the binding post 8. A coactingspring switch member 13 is insulated"from the housing and secured in 35 on the timing mechanism frame plate32,

edge of the slot being toothed to provide a segmental rack 17. The posts3 also carry an, annular ratchet member 18, the posts 3 having spacingsleeves l9 and thereon to space and position these parts 15 and, 13..

- -A barrel21 is rotatably supported bythe face' plate '1 and the plateor disc 15. This barrel projects through the face plate and carries onits projecting end the index or dial plate 22 which has time indic'ia 23thereon adapted to coact with the indicia I so ' character 24, on theface pl atesee. Fig. I Mounted within the barrel for longitudr. nalmovement therein is a spindle 25 having a finger, piece 26 on itsouter'end and a non-circular shank portion 27 engaging correspondinglyshaped open1ng28'1n the barrel, so that the barrel may be rotated fromthe finger piece and the spindle retracted to allow the spring switch 23to dismechanism The frame of this mechanism comprises the spaced plates31 and 32 connectedby suitable pillars and carryingthe 'esca'pementmechanism designated generally by the numeral 38 andtrain of gearsdesignated generally by the numeral 33. This frame also carries thepinion 34meshing with the rack 17, so that movement of the frame andconsequently of the barrel is controlled by the escapement mechanismacting through this-pinion 34 coacting with the rack 17. The pinion 34is carried by the stub shaft the pinion-being supported againstlongitudinal movement by the split rings 36 which engage the grooves 37provided therefor in the periphery of the pinion, the-rings 'coacting'with the plate 15, as shown in Figs.

II and IV'." The pinion 34 is connected to the escapement 38 through thetrain of gears 33 and the pinions 39 and 40, the pinion 39 being mountedon the shaft 41 of the train of gears 33 while the pinion 40 is mountedon the stub shaft 35 for limited longitudinal movement thereon and isprovided with a toothed clutch member 42 coacting with the toothedclutch member 43 of the pinion 34.

A spring 44 acts to hold thepinion 4O yieldingly against the shoulder 45of the stub shaft. The stub shaft is'slidable longitudinally through"and is splined .to the pinion 34-. 'Thespring 44 will yield in themasses event the ends of the clutch teeth engage .when the parts arebeing adjusted; 4

The spindle 25 has a head portion 46 which. is provided with a'transverse slot 47 and with a longitudinal slot 48 -see Fig- VT. The endof the spindle has an insulating block 49, thereon adapted to engage theswitch 13 when the spindle is projected to close the switch-as shown inFig. 11.

The timing means described is connected to the spindle by means of theplate 50 which is mounted on the plate 32 to project through a slot 51in'the barrel into engagement with the flattened portion of the "spindleformed. by the slot 47, the slot thereby connecting the,parts so thatthey rotate together. This particular connection is' designed formechanical convenience and to permit axial movement otthese parts.

A stop plate 52is li'nountedyon the frame plate 15 and hasa's top lug-53 adapted to enter the longitudinal slot 48 of the spindle when broughtinto alignment. The-spring 54'arra'nged upon the barrel urges the timingIneclianism' fi'a1ne rear wardly.

With sired to set'the mechanism, the finger piece 26 is pulledoutwardly, withdrawing' the spindle from engagement with the stop plate52 and engaging it with the plate 50, con" tinued movement shifting theentire escapement. mechanism to disengage the clutch pinions. Thespindle is then rotated which rotates the barrel, thereby winding thespring and also brings the groove 48 "out of register with'the stop 53,thereby holding the spindle in retracted position and'out of engagementwith the switch, as shown in Fig. TV, allowing the switch to open. Therotation of the timing frame carriesthe pinion 34 backward. When thefinger piece is released the spring 54.returns the timing frame and thespring 44 engages the clutch pinions 34'and 40, thereby connecting thethe parts thus arranged audit: is dcrelative f pinion 34 with theescap'er'nent mechanism.

The rotatable parts are driven by the spring, the movement thereof beingcontrolled by the escapement mechanism until the zero or initialposition is reached when the groove 48 is brought into register with thestop lug 53 of the stop plate and the spindle is projected by the spring29 engaging the switch member 13 and closing the switch.

ln the event that it is desired to reset the mechanism beforeit isreturned to Zero it is only necessary to turn it to the desired point'by means of the finger piece.

To prevent injury to the parts in the even a. that the finger piece isvabruptly released wvith the parts in retracted position, we provide agovernor pawl 55 which is pivoted at 56-and held yieldingly out ofengagement with the ratchet 18 by means of the spring.

5?. However, under the centrifugal action.

of the rapidly-rotating parts, this governor pawl is thrown intoengagement with the,

ratchet segment. i l

With the parts arranged as illustrated and described, the device is usedas follows;

'- Assuming that it is desiredto close the'cirhowever, of generalapplication and has as we believe the desclosure made will enable thoseskilled in the art to which our invention relates to embody or adapt thesame as may be desired.

Having thus described our invention, whatwe elaim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is:

1. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of a casing provided with a face plate, a cross platedisposed transversely within said casing and having a segmental slottoothed at one end to provide a' rock, 'a barrelrotatably mounted onsaid plates, a driving spring connected to said barrel, a longitudinallyslotted manually adjustable spindle rotatable with and mounted forlongitudinal movement in said barrel, said 'barrel and spindle havingregistering transverse slots, a spring for actuating said spindlearranged within said barrel, a. stop plate mounted on said cross plateand having a stop lug adapted to enter said longitudinal groove in saidspindle when alignedtherewith, a normally open switch adapted to beengaged by said spindle when the spindle is actuated by said spring, atiming means comprisinga frame mounted on said barrel for axial movementthereon and having a driving lug engaging said slots 1 in said barreland spindle, said lug and sjot in said spindle providing a lost motionconnection for said spindle and frame, an rscapement mechanism carriedby .said frame, a driving pinion coacting with said rack andsupportedagainst axial movement thereby, a shaft onsaid frameslidable in saiddriving pinion, a driven pinion on said shaft, said pinions beingprovided with to acting clutch members adapted to be engaged anddisengaged by the axial movement of said frame, a spring for yieldinglysupporting said driven pinion, a train of gears carried by said frameconnecting said driven pinion with said esc'apement mechanism, and aspring mounted on said b'ariel acting to return said frame to clutchengaging posi-. tion. 5

2. In a structure of the classdescribed, the combinationof a controlswitch, a casing provided with 'a faceplate, a cross plate disposedtransversely within said casing and having a segmental slot toothed atone edge to provide a rack, a barrel rotatably mounted on said plates, adriving spring connected to said barrel, a longitudinally s slottedmanually adjustable spindl'erotatable with and mounted for longitudinalmovement in said barrel, said barrel and spindle having registeringtransverseslots, a spring -for actuating said spindle to switch closingposition, a stop plate mounted on said cross plate an'd having a stoplug adapted 'to enter said longitudinal groove in said spindle whenaligned therewith, a timing means comprising a frame mounted on saidbarrel for axial movement thereon and having a driving lug engaging saidslots in said barrel and spindle, said lug and slot in said spindleproviding a lost motion connection for said spindle and frame, anescapement mechanism carried by'said frame, a driving pinion coactingwith said rack, an operating connection for said driving pinion andescapement mechanism comprising a clutch adapted to be engaged anddisengaged by the axial movement of said frame, and a spring acting toreturn said frame to clutch engaging position.

3. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a segmentalraelt, a

rotatably mounted barrel, a driving spring connected to said barrel, alongitudinally slotted manually adjustable switch control memberrotatable with and mounted for longitudinal movement in said barrel,said barrel and control member having registering'transverse slots, anactuating spring for said switch control member arranged within saidbarrel, a stop adapted to enter said longitudinal groove in said controlmember til when aligned therewith. a timing means comprising a framemounted on said barrel for axial movement thereon and having a drivinlug engaging said slots in said barrel ant co ntrol member, said lug andslot in said control member provid ng a lost motion connection for saidcontrol member and frame, an escapement mechanism can ried bysaid frame,a drivingv pinion coacting with said rack and supported against.

axial movement thereby, a shaft on said adapted to be engaged anddisengaged by l the axial movement of said frame, a spring foryieldinglysupporting said driven pin- -ion, a tram of gears Carried by said frameconnecting said driven pinlon with'said esto said barrel, alongitudinally slotted nianually adjustable switch control memberrotatable with and mounted for longitudinal movement in said barrel,said barrel and member having registering transverse slots,

a spring for actuating said control member,

a stop adapted to enter said longitudinal groove in said control memberwhen aligned therewith, a timing means comprising a frame mounted onsaid barrel for axial movement thereon and having a driving lug ongaging said slots in SZtlClbtlllt-Zl and control member, said lug andslot in said control memberproviding a lost motion connection for saidcontrol member and frame, an (iscapement mechanism carried by sa1dframe,

an operating connection for said driving pinion and escapement mechanismcompris ing a clutch adapted to be engaged and disengaged by the axialmovement of said frame, a spring acting to return said frame to clutchengaging position, a ratchet segment .mounted within said frame, and agovernor pawl mounted on'said'frame to coact with said ratchet segment.

5. In a structureof theclass described, the combination of a segmentalrack, a rotatably mounted barreha driving spring-connected g tosaidbarrel, a longitudinally slotted manually adjustable switch controlmember rotatahle'with-an'd mounted for longitudinal movement in saidbarrel, said barrel and member having registering transverse slots,

' aspring for actuating said control member,

a stop adapted to enter said longitudinal groove" in said control memberwhen aligned therewith, a timing means comprising a frame mounted onsaid barrel for axial movement thereon and having a driving lug engagingsaid slots in saidbarrel and control member, said lug and slot in saidcontrol member providing a lost motion connection for said controlmember and frame, an escapement mechanism carried by said frame, anoperating connection for said driving pinion and escapem'ent mechanismcomprising a clutch adapted to be engaged and disengaged by the. axialmovement of said frame, and a spring acting to return said frame toclutch engaging position. I

6. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a switchcontrol member mounted for rotative and longitudinal move ment andadapted to be manually adjusted. a driving spring, a s gning foractuating said control me'fnber longitudinally, means for holding saidmember in retracted position when rotated from its initial position,timing means comprising a frame mounted for rotative and axial movement,said control member and frame being connected to rotate together" andhaving a lost motion connection whereby independent axial movement ispermitted, an escapement mechanism carried by said frame, a drivingpinion coacting withsaid rack andsupported against axial movementthereby, ashaft on said frame slidable-in said driving pinion, a driven'pinionon said shaft, said pinions beingprovided with coacting clutchmembers adaptedto be engaged and disengaged by the axial movement ofsaid frame, a spring for yield ingly supporting Sald dllVIl pinion, atrain of gears carried by said frame connecting said driven pinion withsaid escapement mechanism, a springacting to return said frame to clutchengaging position, a ratchet segmentmounted within said frame, and agovernor pawl mounted on said frame to coact with said ratchet segment.v

7. In a structure of the class described, the

combination of a switch control member conrol member longitudinally,means for holding said member in retracted position when rotated fromits initial position, timing means comprising a frame mounted forrotative and axial -movement, said control member and frame beingconnected to rotate together and having a lost motion connection wherebyindependent axial movement is permitted, an escapement mechanism carriedby said frame, a driving pinion coacting' with said rack and supportedagainst axial movement thereby, a shaft on said frame slidablein saiddriving pinion, a driven pinion on 'said shaft, said pinions beingprovided with coacting clutch members adapted to be engaged anddisengaged by the axial movement of said frame, a spring for yieldinglysupporting said driven pinion, a train of gears carried by said frameconnecting said driven pinion with said escapement mechanism,

and a spring acting to return said frame to clutch engaging PCSltlOlL 8.In a structure of the class described,

the combination of a switch control member -means for holding saidmember inretracted int position when rotated from its initial position,timing means comprising a frame mounted for rotative and axial movement,said control member and frame being connected. to, rotate together and.having a lost iseases motion connection whereby independent axialmovement is permitted, a rack, a pinion mounted on said frameto coactwith said rack, an escapement mechanism carried by said frame, drivingconnections for said escapement'to said rack adapted to be en gaged anddisengaged by the axial move ment of said frame, a spring acting toreturn said frame to clutch engaging position, a ratchet segment mountedwithin said frame, and a governor pawl mounted on said frame to coactwith said ratchet seg ment. a

9. In a structure of the class described, the combination of a switchcontrol member mounted for rotative and longitudinal movement andadapted to be manually adjusted, a driving spring, a spring for actuating said control member longitudinally, means for holding saidmember in retracted posit-ion when rotated from its initial position,timing means comprising a frame mounted for rotative and axial movement,said control member and frame being connected to'rotate together andhaving a lost 3 motion connection whereby independent axial movement ispermitted, a rack, a pin ion mounted on said frame to coact with saidrack, an escapement mechanism car- 'ried'by said frame, drivingconnections for said escapement to said rack adapted to be engaged anddisengaged by the axial movement of said frame, and a spring acting toreturn said frame to clutch engaging position j 10. In a structure ofthe class described, the combination of a switch control member mountedfor rotative and longitudinal 1nove= ment and adapted to be manuallyadjusted, an indexmember operatively associated therewith, a drivingspring, a spring for actuating said control member longitudinally, meansfor holding said member in retracted position when rotated from itsinitial position, timing means comprising a frame mounted for rotativeand axial movement, said control member and frame being connected torotate together and having a lost motion connection whereby indemovementand adapted to be manually ad-.

justed, a drivingspring, a spring for ae 5 tuating said control memberlongitudinally, means for holding said member in retracted pendentaxial. movement is permitted, a

position when rotated from its initial position, timing means for saidcontrol member comprising a rotatably mounted frame, a rack, a pinionmounted on said frame to coact with said rack, an escapementrne'chaposition when rotated from its initial p0sition,-timing. meansfor said control member comprising a rotatably mounted frame, a rack, apinion mounted on said frame to coact with-said rack, an escape-wentmechanism carried by said frame, and driving connections for said pinionto said escapement.

(.13. In. a structure of the class described,

the combination of a switch control mem-' ber mounted for rotative andlongitudinal movement and adapted to be manually adjusted, an indexmember operatively associated therewith, a driving spring, a spring foractuating said control member longitudinally, means for holding saidmember in retracted position when rotated from its initial position,timing means for said control member comprising a rotatably mountedframe, a. rack, a pinion mounted on said" frame to coact with said rack,an escapement mechanism carried by said frame, and driving connectionsfor said pinion to said escapement.

14. In a structure of the class described, the combination ofa manuallyadjustable switch control member mounted for rotative and axialmovement, a sprin for actuating said member axially to switcli closingposition, meansfor holding said member in retracted position when it isrotated from its initial position, means for rotating said membercomprising a driving spring, a tim-. ing means comprising a segmentalrack, a

rotatable support, api-nion carried by said support oo'acting with saidrack, and an escapement mechanism operatively assoc1- ated with saidpinion.

15. In a structure of the class described,

the combination of a switch control member, means for timing theactuation thereof comprising a rotatable support, a segmental rack, apinion carried by said support 00- acting with said rack, an escapementmechanism operatively associated with said pin-,

ion, and means for manually adjusting said timing means having timingindicia opr-' atively assoclated therewith. v

- 6 I maezees 16. In a structure of the class described, with said reek-3nd \zufescapement operthe combination of a control member, :1 a tivelyassoeiat'eduwith said pinion. v spring for actuating-said member axiallyto In witneesffn here'of we have hereunto set switch closing positien,means for'holding our hands. i v 5 said member in retracted position,means for PA UL HUSTED.

. releasing said member at a predetermined OTTO 'HUSTED.

time comprising a rack, a plnien coacting -FOSTER SQLLIDAY.

